The 1970s-Inspired Circula AquaSport Dive Watch

Circula is a German brand based in Pforzheim that was revived in 2017 by Cornelius Huber, grandson of the original 1955 founder, Heinz Huber. The name is derived from the “circulation of the balance wheel”. This latest AquaSport dive watch collection was developed in part by the suggestions of over 400 contributors from Germany’s largest watch forum. That being said, the overall design is based on a historical model from the brand’s archives with 1970s styling and Swiss automatics. For the first time, Circula is also offering a certified chronometer option.

The 316L stainless steel case is pillow-shaped with a contemporary 39mm diameter and height of 13.4mm (46mm lug-to-lug) but maintains that retro 1970s skin diver aesthetic. A classic 120-click unidirectional bezel has Arabic numerals every ten minutes filled with Super-LumiNova. The screw-down crown has a colour-matching piece sandwiched between two knurled plates, while a domed sapphire crystal protects the multilayer dial that comes in four colourways – blue/white, dark blue, grey/green and grey/orange. 

Dial patterns include relief waves, relief lines or sunray. Each model has its own bezel colour as well with sapphire crystal inserts. All have bold applied indices filled with Super-LumiNova, while the hour and minute hands have multiple Super-LumiNova inserts. As expected for a proper dive watch, everything is large and legible. A bevelled date window tastefully sits at 6 o’clock. Water-resistance is rated at 200 metres and the screw-down steel caseback features an engraved scuba diver against a brushed background.  

Powering the standard collection are either an STP 1-11 automatic from Swiss Technology Production (an ETA alternative) or an ETA 2824-2. The STP 1-11 has 26 jewels, beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) with a 44-hour power reserve. The movement is regulated in 5 positions for an accuracy of -0/+15 seconds per day. The ETA 2824-2 has the same general specs (with 25 jewels) and is also regulated in five positions for an accuracy of -10/+10 seconds per day. The chronometer option is a Sellita SW200 automatic with an accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day and the power reserve dips slightly to 38 hours. Functions for all include central hours, minutes, hacking seconds and date at 6 o’clock.

There are a variety of 20mm straps including two stainless steel bracelets (with a beads-of-rice mesh option), a vintage tropic rubber with a steel pin buckle or optional leather straps with quick-release levers. Prices for the Circula AquaDive collection start at EUR 486 (incl. VAT) or USD 495 and include shipping. Deliveries will start on December 16th. Not bad for vintage-inspired dive watches from Pforzheim with regulated Swiss automatics and a history going back to 1955. For more information and to place an order, visit Circula’s website.